Fruit and vegetable treating machine



NOV- 29, 1938 M. D. KENNEDYJs-r Al. 2,133,174 I FRUIT AND VEGETABILE TREATING MACHINE Filed May s, 1934 I 2 sheets-sheet 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 29, '1938. M. D. KENNEDY ET Al.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE TREATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1954 Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Mabry D. Kennedy and John Gordon Johnson, Orlando, Fla.

Application May 8, 1934, Serial No. 724,595

` 15 Claims. Our invention relates to fruit and. vegetable treating machines and more particularly toV washers and polishers of the ruilleboard type.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to clean and 5 polish fruit by means of passing the fruit between rotating cylindrical brushes and in some of the prior art devices, reciprocating flat brushes are used in combination with cylindrical brushes. It has also been proposed to clean fruit by means of rubbing boards in combination with cylindrical rotating brushes wherein the boards are reciprocated with respect to the surfaces of the brushes.

One of the principal objections to the arrangements disclosed in the prior art devices, is that they do not permit proper and thorough washing and polishing of the fruit. It has been found that in some cases the fruit is merely turned about a single axis and in others, while the fruit has been rotated, i-t-has also been damaged due to the pressure of the rubbing surface.

It is the purpose of our invention to provide an improved fruit or vegetable brushing or polishing machine wherein the fruit or vegetables are subjected to a thorough brushing during their passage through the machine. In our arrangement, the fruit moves longitudinally of the brushing means and is simultaneously rotated, the axis of rotation of'each individual fruit being constantly changed so that every element of the surface of the fruit is repeatedly exposed to the brushing medium.

The invention, in its broadest aspect, comprises a plurality o1 rotating brushes or rolls, suitably mounted upon a supporting frame. Theirame is inclined so that the fruit or vegetables undergoing treatment tend, under the force of gravity, to move lengthwise of the brushes. Adjacent the brushes and spaced therefrom are a plurality of rubbing boards adapted to have a rocking motion imparted thereto whereby the fruit or vegetables to be cleaned or polished are subjected to a thorough rubbing during their course of travel lengthwise of the brushes, and are propelled, by the combination of gravity and the nimes, from the intake to the discharge end of the machine.

An object of our invention is to provide an improved ruiileboard type of fruit and vegetable treating machine, wherein the fruit and vegetables are subjected to a thorough brushing and scrubbing during their travel through the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for adjusting the position and tension ci (Cl. 14S-202) the rutile member with respect to the fruit passing under the rules. f

Still another object of our invention is to provide means for adjusting the pitch of the ruieboards, in relation to the cylindrical brushes, 5 whereby the pitch of the boards may be adjusted from one point on the ruffleboard assembly.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved suspension arrangement of the ru'leboar'd and rocker arm mechanism whereby the entire ruflleboard and rocker arm mechanism are supported at a point below and parallel to the center line of the cylindrical brushes.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved fruit and vegetable treating machine of the ruffleboard type wherein the length of the rocker arm is adjustable so as to permit vertical adjustment of the ruleboard assembly.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means of lifting the rulles along the entire length of the machine, from a point at one end thereof, for the purpose of allowing residual fruit at the end of a run, which might otherwise remain' under the ruflles, to pass out of the machine.

With these and other objects'in view, which may be incident to our improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding thatthe several necessary elements, comprising our invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In" order' to make our invention more clearly understood, we have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying'the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

l Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of our improved ruflieboard machine. Y

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view along line 2-2 of Figure l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1;` and l Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail View, showing the 50 ruflleboard adjusting mechanism.

Before proceeding with a detailed description of our invention, it may be stated that it consists essentially of a rectangular shaped bed or base molmted upon suitable` supports and ar 55 y ranged so that it is slidably inclined from front to back, that is, it has a downward inclination from the point at which the fruit or vegetables are supplied to the point at which they exit. Intermediate of the ends of the machine are a plurality of cross members forming supports for the brushes, brush driving mechanism, ruffleboard rocker arm assembly and the eccentric used to impart motion to the rubbing mechanism.

Adjacent the brushes are a plurality of angular inclined rubbing boards having a fabric surface and provided with a ruffled piece of fabric attached to one edge of each board.Y The ruffleboards form, with the brushes, a plurality of paths for the fruit and when the brushes are rotated, a rocking motion is simultaneously imparted to the ruiileboards. The fruit, in passing along the paths formed between the brushes and the boards contacts with the brushes, the fabric surfaces of the rubbing boards and the ruiiies. Due to the combination of motions imparted to the fruit, its axis of rotation is constantly changed with the resultant exposure of its entire surface to the rubbing surfaces.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the machine comprises support members in the form of legs I and 2 attached to the side pieces 3 and 4, extending lengthwise of the machine. Between the side pieces are a plurality of cross members 5, serving as supports for the rotary brushes, the brush drive mechanism and the eccentric used in connection with the ruffleboards.

The side pieces and cross members may be of any suitable construction, however, they are preferably formed of angle iron, the cross members being bolted or otherwise attached to the side pieces to form a strong and substantial bed or support for the fruit cleaning mechanism.

The brushes 6 are of conventional construction, each brush consisting of a cylindrical body portion 'I having bristles 8 attached thereto. The center of the brush body I is bored out to receive a brush shaft 9 which is supported on bearing members ID and II. The bearings II intermediate the ends of the machine are supported by bearing hangers I2 resting on the cross pieces and forming a brush spacer. The ends of the brush shaft in the lower end of the machine are supported on .bearings attached to brackets I3, which restupon one of the cross members 5.

It will be understood that the brush arrangement consists of a number of brushes 6, eX- tending lengthwise of the machine and supported at intervals of their length by means of hangers I2. While we have only shown an assembly of 4 brushes, it will be appreciated that the number of brushes may be increased and that the arrangement of the brushes is a matter of design to suit the particular requirements of a given machine.

In order to rotate the brushes, a suitable driving mechanism is provided at the upper end of the machine. This drive arrangement consists of a plurality of gears I4 mounted upon a common drive shaft I6. The drive shaft exten-ds through the gear boxes I'l andis Aadapted to be driven from a source of power not shown. The end of each brush shaft 9`is formedwith an extension 9 and provided with a gear I8 adapted to mesh with one of the gears I4 attached to the common drive shaft. The extensions 9 are also provided with bearing members I3 which seat in bearings formed in the sides of the gear box.

`members in the form of brackets 3I.

Between and adjacent `the brushes are a plurality of rubbing boards 2I. The boards are mounted upon suitably spaced hangers attached to and supported by the cross members 5. Each hanger assembly for the ruiileboards consists of brackets 22 attached to the side members 5, a shaft 23 between the brackets and a sleeve 24 mounted upon shaft 23 and about which it is free to oscillate. Attached to this sleeve is a plunger 25, having a collar 26 permanently affixed there- Fitting down over plunger is a hollow sleeve 27 formed with a bifurcated end having side `members 28 and 29, the lower end of the Vsleeve being formed with a collar 30.

The ruiileboard assembly including the adjusting mechanism for the boards and ruies, is attached to the sleeves 2I by means of support These brackets comprise a, base portion 32 and vertical portions 3'3 and 34, one of the Vertical portions 34 being provided with an extension 35. The base 32 is adapted to be inserted in the bifurcated end of sleeve 2 and is held in position by means of a bolt or other suitable fastening means 36.

The vertical portions 33, 34 and extension 35 are provided with openings adapted to receive a longitudinally extending tube 3l and shafts or rods 38 and 39. The tube 31 which is the wing supporting tube, serves as a support for the wings to which the ruflieboards are attached. Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the wings comprise body portions 40 fitting around tube 3l and arms 4I and 42, the ruileboards 2| being attached to the wing arms 4I. Mounted upon the shaft 38 and at spaced intervals are a plurality of truncated cones 43, the cones being adapted to fit down between the arms 42 formed on the ruiileboard supporting wings. It will be noted that the arrangement of the wings is such that they are free to move about their pivotal point, that is, when arms 42 are forced apart, arms 4I are moved outwardly carrying ruffleboards 2I with them.

In order to vary the angular position of the wings with respect to their supports, the cones 43 are adapted to be moved longitudinally so that the arms 42 are spread apart. Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the rod or shaft 33, upon which the cones are mounted, may be adjusted longitudinally and that sufficient space between the vertical portions 32 and 33 is provided to allow clearance for the cones when they are moved in either direction between the Vertical portions of brackets 3|.

The adjusting arrangement for the wings, as herein disclosed, consists in tapping o'ne of the vertical portions 33 at the lower end of the machine and threading the end of rod 38 as indicated by numeral 44. The end of the rod may beprovided with a head 45 or other portion adapted to receive a wrench or other tool, whereby rod 38 may be turned. A lock nut 4S is also provided to lock the rod in position after adjustment of the wings has been made.

It will thus be seen that when it is desired to adjust the angular position of the ruifleboards, lock nut 46 is loosened, rod 38 turned, moving the rod longitudinally, the cones 43 moving between the arms 42, spreading the arms apart or allowing them to recede,`depending upon the directionA of rotation of the rod. After the wings have been adjusted, they are securely held in position by turning down the lock nut 43 against vertical portion 33.

The ruiileboards 2I are provided with canvas or other fabric surfaces 41k and to ther upper` chains 53 are attached to the rod 39 and. that when the rod is rotated by means of. hand Wheel 54, the chains are wrapped around the rod, thus raising the free edges of the fabric 49. In order to hold the free edge of the fabric out of con-- tact with the fruit, a rachet 55 and pawl 56 are provided. After rod 33v has been rotated. sufiiciently to enable the ruliied portion of the fabric to clear the fruit, it is held in this position by means of pawl B which is adapted to engage with rachet 55. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide means for clearing the ma..- chine of fruit which may become lodged in the ruiiies or pleats 58, asV will. be described more fully hereinafter.

For the purpose of imparting rocking motion to the ruiileboards through the medium of the rocker arm mechanism, a suitable eccentric is provided. The eccentric, designated generally by numeral 51, is of conventional construction, having a connecting rod 58. The rod is attached to one of the sleeves 21 at the upper or entrance end of the machine by means of a collar 59. The eccentric is associated with the common drive shaft I6 and motion is imparted to the rod 58 when shaft I6 is rotated. When the rod moves, it carries with it the sleeve 21, and' since the sleeve is pivoted to shaft 23, the rocking motion of the rod is imparted to the sleeve and the ruiiieboards are all moved in the same path through the medium of the rocker arms.

In order to adjust the rocker arms so as to permit vertical adjustment of the entire ruffleboard assembly, in relation to the cylindrical brushes, collars 26 formed on plunger 25 are tapped and a threaded stud 60, having head 6l, adapted tov receive a wrench is turned down into the collar. The stud is provided with shoulder portions 62 and when the stud is turned, collar 38 together with the stud 21, is raised or lowered on the piston 25. From the description of our machine, thus far, it will be seen that when the drive shaft l5 is rotated, brush shafts 9 are turned and with them the brushes 6. At the same time, eccentric 51 is actuated causing the rocker arm assembly to impart a rocking motion to the ruilieboards. In the operation of the machine, fruit is introduced on table 63 from which it passes to one of the paths formed between a brush and a rubbing board. Rotation of drive shaft I6 causes the brushes to rotate and simultaneously imparts a rocking motion to the ruflieboards. The fruit in its passage along the length of the machine is caught between the ruiiles and the ruifleboards, the brushes tending to force the fruit against the surface of the ruiileboard due to their direction of rotation, namely, in the direction of the boards. The combined motions imparted tov the fruit causes it to rotate about a constantly changing axis of rotation and as a result, each element of surface of an individual fruit contacts with the brush, the surface of the rubbing board and the rules, thus insuring a thorough cleansing or polishing of the fruit in its passage throughv the machine.

One of the important features of our inventionresides in the novel lubricating system, which We have provided for the lower rocker arm bearing and the arrangement of a common oil or grease tight housing, enclosing the brush shaft gears and eccentric, permitting both the eccentric and gears to turn in. a common supply of lubricant. It will be noted that the lower rocker arm bearing consisting of hollow tube 23 and sleeve24 isllubricated by means of. a pipe or tube 64 connected to hollow tube or rod. 23 and a suitable supply of lubricant. It will be further noted that all of the bearing surfaces, that is, the bearings between rods 31 and 38 and vertical portions 33: and 34 are lubricated by means of exible connections 65 which terminate in the side members of the machine, whereby a sup ply of lubricant may be forced through the tubes to the bearings.

In addition to the lubricating means provided for the bearing surfaces of the rocker arms, means are also provided for sealing the lubricant Within the gearbox comprising a flexible sleeve 66 made of leather or other similar material which is adapted to t around the rod arm 58 and prevent the lubricant contained within the gear box from leaking out through the opening provided for the connecting rods.

It will be appreciated that inthe normal operation. of ruieboard washers and polishers, several different kinds of fruit are handled, such as oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons, limes, etc., which due to different texture of skin and other physical properties will require different amounts of scrubbing or brushing. With the machines of the prior art, it is not possible toV vary the pressure applied by the ruilies to the fruit, and, therefore, of the fruit against the brushes, since the ruflie bears against the fruit with a fixed or determined pressure. By means of our arrangement, fruit treating machines of the ruffleboard. type will be provided with -adjustments whereby variable pressure may be applied to the fruit with resultant varying degrees of Washing or polishing.

By means of our improved arrangement for lifting the free edge of the ruiile, the ruie may be raised clear of the fruit'permitting it to pass through the machine. This arrangement is of particular advantage when small quantities of fruit are being run through the machine or at the end of a run, when there is insufficient fruit along the brush to cause a steady movement down the length of the machine, or when the last fruit is being run, due to the fact that not all of the fruit will move through the machine since some of it is liableto be caught up between the ruiiies or pleats and it is then'necessary for the operator of the machine to force them out from beneath the ruilies.

While Vwe' have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, we wish it to be understood that we do not coni-lne ourselves to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustrations", as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: Y

1. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubhing boardsA adjacent the brushes, means to pivotally` support they boards at points below the centerline of the. brushes, means to vary the l rubbing boards in the pivotal supports whereby a rocking movement is imparted to said boards.

2. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of recipyrocating rubbing boards adjacent the brushes, said boards having a fabric surface adapted to' contact with the fruit, means Yto pivotally sup` port the boards at points below the; center line of the brushes, means operable from one end of i the machine to vary the angular position of the boards with respect to the brushes, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the l brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rubbing boards on the pivotal supports whereby a rocking movement is imparted to said boards.

3. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of reciprocating boards adjacent the brushes, said boards having one face provide-d with a piece of fabric and another piece of fabric attached along one edge of the board, leaving one edge of the fabric free, means to pivotally support the boards at points below the center lineV of the brushes, means operable from one end of the machine to vary the angular position of the boards with respect to the brushes, means to lift the free edge of the fabric attached to the boards, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rubbing boards on the pivotal supports whereby a rocking movement is impart to said boards.

4. A fruit treating machine comprising .a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubto adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, `means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rocker arms about their points of support whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the rubbing boards.

5. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes, means to support the boards comprising a plurality of rocker arms pivotally mounted at points below the center line of the brushes, each rocker arm comprising a sleeve, a plunger iitted into said sleeve and means to connect the sleeve with the plunger, means operable from one end of the machine to vary the angular position of the boards with respect to the brushes, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rocker arms about their points of support whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the rubbing boards.

6. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes, and attached to pivotally mounted ruilieboard support wings, means to pivotally support the boards at points below the center line of the brushes, means to vary the angular position of the boards comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable cones adapted to force the boards outwardly when moved between the pivotally mounted wings to which the boards are attached, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rubbing boards about their pivotal supports whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the boards.

7. A fruit treating machine vcomprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes, means to pivotally support the boards comprising a plurality of rocker arms, each rocker arm comprising a sleeve and a plunger iitting into said sleeve, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to 'the brushes comprising a collar attached to the sleeve, a collar attached to the plunger and a threaded stud permanently amxed to the collar on the sleeve, said stud being adapted to thread into the collar formed on the plunger whereby the position of the sleeve with respect to the plunger may be varied means to Arotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rocker arms about their points of support whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the rubbing boards.

8. In a fruit treating machine of the ruffleboard type, a support arrangement for the rullieboard and ruileboard adjusting mechanism, comprising a plurality of vertically adjustable rocker arms, brackets attached to the free ends of the rocker arms said brackets supporting a plurality of shafts, one of said shafts supporting the ruiileboard, another shaft supporting the angular adjusting mechanism for the boards and a third shaft supporting the ruffle adjusting mechanism, the entire rufleboard and rocker arm mechanism being supported at points below the center line of the brushes.

, 9. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes and'attached to'pivotally mounted ruiiieboard support wings, means to pivotally support the boards comprising a plurality of rocker arms,'means to vary the angular position of the boards with respect to the brushes comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable cones adapted to force the boards outwardly whenl moved between the pivotally mounted wings to which the boards are attached, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rocker arms whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the rubbing boards.

10. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes and attached to pivotally mounted ruiiieboard support wings, means to support the boards comprising'a plurality of rocker arms pivotally mounted at points below the center line of the brushes, means to vary the angular position of the boards with respect to the brushes comprisng a plurality of longitudinally movable cones adapted to force the boards outwardly when moved between the pivotally mountedwings to which the boards are attached, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rocker arms about their points of support whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the rubbing boards.

11. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes and attached to pivotally mounted ruiiieboard support wings, means to support the boards comprising a plurality of rocker arms pivotally mounted at pointsbelow the center line of the brushes, means to vary the angular position of the boards comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable cones adapted to force the boards outwardly when moved between the pivotally mounted Wings to which the boards are attached, means to vary the length of the rocker arms whereby the boards may be adjusted vertically with respect to the brushes and means to rotate the brushes and reciprocate the rubbing boards.

12. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes and attached to pivotally mounted ruleboard support wings, means to pivotally support the boards comprisinga plurality of rocker arms, each rocker arm comprising a sleeve, a plunger tted into said sleeve and means to connect the sleeve With the plunger, means to vary the angular position of the boards with respect to the brushes comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable cones adapted to force the boards outwardly when moved between the pivotally mounted Wings to which the boards are attached, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rocker arms about their points of support whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the rubbing boards.

13. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes and attached to pivotally mounted ruilleboard support wings, said boards having one face provided with a piece of fabric and another piece of fabric attached along one edge to an edge of the board, means to pivotally support the boards from a point below the center line of the brushes, comprising a plurality of rocker arms, each rockerarm comprising a sleeve, a plunger fitted into said sleeve, and means to connect the sleeve with the plunger, means to vary the angular position of the boards with respect to the brushes comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable cones adapted to force the boards outwardly when moved between the pivotally mounted wings to which the boards are attached, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the .rocker arms about their points of support whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the rubbing boards.

14. A fruit treating machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes and attached tov pivotally mounted ruflleboard support wings, said boards having one face provided with a piece of fabric and another piece of fabric attached along one edge to an edge of the board, leaving one edge of the fabric free, means to lift the free edge of the fabric, means to support the boards from a point below the center line of the brushes, comprising a plurality of rocker arms, each rocker arm comprising a sleeve, a plunger fitted into said sleeve, and means to connect the sleeve with the plunger, means to Vary the angular position of the boards with respect to the brushes', comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable cones adapted to force the boards outwardly when moved between the pivotally mounted wings to which the boards are attached, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, means to rotate the brushes and means to reciprocate the rocker arms about their points of support whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the rubbing boards.

15. A fruit treatment machine comprising a plurality of rotatable brushes, a plurality of rubbing boards adjacent the brushes and attached to pivotally mounted ruflileboard support wings, said boards having one face provided with a piece of fabric and another piece of fabric attached along one edge to an edge of the board, leaving one edge of the fabric free, means to lift the free edge of the fabric, means to support the boards comprising a plurality of rocker arms, each rocker arm comprising a sleeve, a plunger fitted into said sleeve and means to connect the sleeve with the plunger, means to vary the angular position of the boards with respect tothe brushes comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable cones, adapted to force the boards outwardly when moved between the pivotally mounted wings to which the boards are attached, means to adjust the boards vertically with respect to the brushes, comprising a collar attached to the rocker arm sleeve, a collar attached to the rocker arm plunger and a threaded stud permanently aixed to the collar on the sleeve, said stud being adapted to thread into the collar formed in the plunger, whereby the position of the sleeve with respect to the plunger may be varied, and means to rotate the brushes and reciprocate the rubbing boards.

MABRY D. KENNEDY. J. GORDON JOHNSON. 

